The Welshman's position at Loftus Road has come under intense scrutiny following Saturday's 3-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Southampton. That result has left the R's, who are bottom of the Premier League, still searching for the first win this season.

There has been no official comment from the club, although Hughes is believed to have held a two-hour meeting with chief executive Philip Beard earlier today rather than take training.

Since then, a number of media outlets have claimed that owner Tony Fernandes has finally run out of patience with the 49-year-old.

As a result, a number of bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Hughes being the next Premier League manager to be sacked.